THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING 
TO LEARN 



THE KING WHO 

HAD NOTHING 

TO LEARN 

A FANTASTIC COMEDY 
IN ONE ACT 

By 

LEON. M. LION 

Author or Adaptor of — • 

"The Touch of the Child." "Mr. Jarvis," "Playing the 

Game," "The Mobswoman," "Promotion," "The 

Man who Stole the Castle," "The Fairy 

Uncle," "The Superior Sex," "Pistols 

for Two," "Love's Comedy," etc 



C^pi^.^[aH^, 19U, nY S.ivr jjil Fi.ts\':;H. LiMtrEO 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET 



London 
SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 

26 Southampton Street 
STRAND 






J'-anfi,ferr«<y; fro,. 



my^ 'Sf 



APR II I9H 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING 
TO LEARN 

COSTUMES 

King Carola : The Boy King of The uniform of an English 
'Bolkania .... Colonel of Huzzars, with 

plumed helmet and 
sword. 

Richard Davenham : His Eng- Ordinary EngHsh Morn- 
lish Tutor . . . ing Dress. 

Tanta Natch a : A good-natured The Bulgarian Peasant 
Gardener's wife . . . Woman's Costume. 

Katrina : A Peasant Girl from The Bulgarian Peasant 
a distant Province . . Holiday Costume. 

PROPERTIES REQUIRED. 
Rush Basket and Rag-face Doll — for Katrina. 

Scene 
The Throne Room of the Winter Palace of Bolkania. 



The fee for each and every representation of this 
play by Amateurs is One Guinea, payable in advance 
to— 

Messrs. Samuel French, Ltd., 

26 Southampton Street, 

Strand, London, 

or their authorized representatives. 

No performance may be given unless a written per- 
mission has first been obtained. 

All the costumes, wigs, and properties used in the 
performance of plays contained in French's list may 
be hired or purchased reasonably from Messrs. 
Charles H. Fox, Ltd., 27 Wellington Street, Strand, 
London. 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING j 
TO LEARN 

Produced at the Gaiety Theatre, Manchester (un:ler t.ie 
management of Miss A. E. F. Horniman), on February g, 
1914, with the following cast : — • 

King Carola . , , Master Layton Hovniman. ' 

Richard Davenham . . Mr Herbert Lonias. 

Tanta Natch a . . . Miss Dorothy Hick, 

Katrina . ■ . , , Miss Hilda Davies. 

Produced by — Mr. Douglas Gordon 






THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING 

TO LEARN ' 

Scene. — The Throne-room of the Winter Palace in 
Bolkania. See stage plan. A corner of the room 
is seen at right angles. Along one wall running 
from down l. to hack c, is a large semi-circular 
dais, with three circular steps running romid ^t. 
On the top of this is the royal throne of Bolkania 
— -a rococo piece of gilded magnificence, flanked bn 
either side by palms and battle- standards. On the 
R. wall (running from up c. to down R.) ther'^ is (#/> 
stage) a handsome arched entrance, heavily curtainSd, 
opening on to a corridor leading to the other royal 
apartments. Below this {down stage) large douMe 
French windows, opening on to the Palace gard^. 
These windows must be sufficiently high for a flood 
of sunlight to strike through them full on to the ihroijf^. 

(The curtain rises on an empty stage. The- Belfry 
clock in the distajice chimes seven. From arched 
entrance up r. King Carola enters. He is^a 
handsome boy about 12 , dressed in the uniform of an 
English Colonel of Huzzars. He comes on stealthily, 
listening to see if he is followed, then he pulls curtains 
to behind him, and runs to the steps of the dais L. ^n 
which the throne is set.) 

Carola (m boyish glee at having eluded his guardians). 
Alone ! Alone at last ! { 

(He crosses softly to window r., and unbolts it with some 

difficulty. Just as he opens it and is about to exit, 

Davenham comes silently through the curtains up R. 

He is a characteristic young Englishman, about 35, 

9 



10 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

jair, well-built, zenith smiling eyes, and invincible 
good humour. He watches Carola opening window.) 

Davenham [quite quietly). Did your Majesty call ? 

Carola (turning). Bother ! I thought you were 
asleep. 

Davenham [smiling). No, your Majesty. (Com- 
ing down c.) 

Carola. Do Englishmen never sleep ? 

Davenham. Sometimes. But never on duty. 

Carola. Our papers say that John Bull always 
has one eye open. 

Davenham. So he has. But I'm not John Bull, 
you know. 

Carola (leaving the window half open, and coming 
up c. to Davenham). You are to me. The one 
real Englishman I know. Why have you followed 
me here ? 

Davenham. It's my duty, your Majesty. You 
know you are not permitted to go anywhere un- 
attended. 

Carola (petulantly). Why can't I do what I 
like ? {Crossing l. to steps of throne, down.) What's 
the good of being a king, if one can't do what one 
likes ? 

Davenham. The whole business of a king, Sire, 
is to be doing what other people like. 

Carola (petulantly). Oh, I wish I was a cowherd 
or a donkey boy ! 

Davenham. Why ? 

Carola. They can be free sometimes. Or even 
an Englishman. [Coming back to Davenham.) 
Every one does what they like in England, don't 
they ? 

Davenham. More or less. So long as they 
don't do what other people don't like. 

Carola. Yes, but even your kings do just what 
they please, don't they ? 

Davenham. They please only to please others. 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 11 

your Majesty. [Sententiously .) The first lesson 
every Englishman learns is to obey — and learning 
to command himself, he fits himself to command 
others. 

Carola [quite unimpressed). Doesn't sound a bit 
nice ! All the Englishmen I've met seem such jolly 
fellows. Not just stiff wooden soldiers like the 
Germans and the Russians. {Strutting up stage and 
down again, very stiffJ.y.) That's why I like wearing 
this uniform. 

Davenham {going a little down r. and watching 
Carola amusedly). The 47th Huzzars, your Majesty. 

Carola. Yes, they made me an honorary Colonel, 
you know. I wish I could go and do some real 
fighting with them. {He lunges down l., as with a 
sword.) 

Davenham. The first lesson I propose to give your 
Majesty this morning, is on the military history of 
Great Britain. 

Carola {impatiently) . Oh ! I know quite enough. 

Davenham. Of what ? 

Carola. Of everything ! I don't want to learn 
any more stupid lessons. {Coming c. to Davenham.) 
I want to see things for myself, use my own eyes and 
ears. That's why I've kept running away from 
you. 

Davenham. Your Majesty's frankness is engaging. 
But what will your Ministers and your Uncle the 
Regent say to you, if I report that you are constantly 
playing truant from your studies ? 

Carola. Playing truant ? Oh, I know what you 
mean. That's what the Enghsh school boy calls 
" doing a bunk." 

Davenham {laughs). Your Majesty is well up 
in English school slang. 

Carola (c). Rather ! I get every English book 
I can. I say, you're " a real good sort " ! — that's 
what the English say when they like anybody, isn't 
it? 



12 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

Davenham {smiling). That's it ! 

Carola. So I don't mind telling you why I've 
tried to get away from you. I read in that book. 
— " The Arabian Nights " — about that other king, 
hundreds of years ago, the Caliph of Bagdad ! He 
wanted to see things for himself, and hear what 
people said of him, so he went about disguised, and 
had some awfully good fun. 

Davenham (seriously). Your Majesty might not 
find it such good fun. Kings are not as popular as 
they were hundreds of years ago. Your Majesty 
might hear things that would make you angry. 

Carola (lightly). Then I could have them beaten 
to death, couldn't I ? 

Davenham. I'm afraid not. Sire. That is 
another habit that has gone out of fashion. 

Carola (backing away slightly l.). I say — you don't 
mean, now I have told you, that you won't let me 
go out disguised to hear what people say ? 

Davenham. It is not possible, your Majesty : it is 
too great a risk. 

Carola (turning, and sitting down on the steps of 
the dais). It is a beastly shame ! I don't hke being 
a king a bit, not one little bit 1 

{On the verge of tears, he hangs the steps petulantly, 
and turns his head away.) 

Davenham. Come, come, your Majesty, that isn't 
very kingly. Temper ! Insubordination ! And in 
an English uniform too ! Such a thing's never been 
heard of. (There is a noise of footsteps from outside 
windoiij r.) Listen ! Some one's coming. That 
will be the servants to prepare the Throne- room for 
your audience this afternoon. (Crossing above 
Carola and patting him on shoulder.) You don't 
wish them to see you like this, do you ? Come, buck 
up ! Be a man ! 

Carola (crossing r.). I am a man ! Here — (turn- 
ing and catching him by the sleeve) — help — me to be 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 13 

like that Caliph of Bagdad. Come with me behind 
this curtain here, and listen ! 

(He drags Davenham into the shadow of the Archway 
R., peeping out from behind the curtain during the 
ensuing scene.) 

Katrina (heard outside — calling excitedly). Tanta 
Natcha ! See ! See ! The window is open. Let 
me peep. 

(Big window down r. opens slowly. Tanta Natcha 
and Katrina come in. Tanta Natcha is a typical 
peasant woman of the country, aged about 35. 
Katrina, her niece, is a girl of 11 or 12, very bright 
and quick-witted. She carries a small rush basket.) 

Tanta. Quietly then ! Go quietly ! No one's 
about yet. Royal servants are late sleepers. We 
must be gone before they come. 

Katrina (setting down the basket below window R., 
and gazing around). Is this the King's room ? 

Tanta. Yes. 

Katrina. Where his friends come to tea with 
him ? 

Tanta. Yes, yes ! And that's where he sits, 
on that gold chair on the top of all those steps. 

(Tanta goes to step of throne, and curtseys awkwardly 
and grotesquely.) 

Katrina (down r.). Oh, Tanta ! You do look 
funny ! (Imitates her, bobbing up and down.) What 
did you do that for ? 

Tanta. Do what, child ? 

Katrina. Bob up and down hke this. (Still 
imitating her.) 

Tanta. I was bowing to the great throne of the 
Kings. 

Katrina. Will it do you good, Tanta ? 

Tanta. Who knows ? 



14 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

Katrina. Could it harm you ? 

Tanta. God forbid ! Bows more slavishly than 
ever.) 

Katrina. The King sits up there ? (Commg c.) 

Tanta {still bowing). Yes, child, yes. 

Katrina. But why do they sit him up so high ? 
He can't play with anybody. 

Tanta. Bless the child ! (Turning to her.) He 
doesn't want to play with anybody. Nobody would 
pla}- with a King ! He must sit up there, all by him- 
self, because he is so much greater, and grander, and 
better than anyone else. 

Katrina. Is he ? Why ? 

Tanta. Why I Because he is a King. 

Katrina. But why is he a King ? 

Tanta. Bless the child ! (Puzzled.) Because 
he sits up there ! Now come along home, you've seen 
it all. Your Uncle Nikola would never forgive me if 
he knew how I smuggled you in. [Crossing down r. 
to imndow.) 

Katrina (c). Wait a minute. I want to see the 
King. (Trying to detain her.) 

Tanta. A little child like you can't see the King. 

Katrina. Why not ? A cat can look at a king, 
you know. 

Tanta. Bless the child ! He never gets up till 
the afternoon. Great people have parties all the 
night, then sleep half the day. (To ivindow.) Come, 
if we were found here your Uncle Nikola might lose 
his place as Assistant to the Under Gardener. 

Katrina (advancing towards throne) . Why does the 
King have so many steps to his chair ? 

Tanta. That's so as to keep the rest of the world 
in their position. 

Katrina. How ? (She steps on to the first plat- 
form.) 

-Tanta {coming forward). Bless the child! You 
mustn't go up there ! No one less than a Duchess 
may stand on the steps of a throne. 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 15 

Katrina {going up). Well, why shouldn't / be a 
Duchess ? 

Tanta. Eh ? 

Katrina {she goes up next step). Why shouldn't 
/ be a Princess ? {She goes up the last step — and sits 
upon the throne.) Why shouldn't I be a Queen ? 

Tanta. Oh, Saints preserve us ! The child's 
gone mad. Come down ! Come down ! That's high 
treason to get into the King's seat. We shall all be 
hanged, (c, wringing her hands.) 

Katrina. Nonsense ! It's only a game : just 
like the one we play in the old barn at Kranow^a. 
" Who'll be king of the castle." Kings must be very 
like httle children if they play games like this. 
{She is seated in the chair, and shifts about, swinging 
her legs.) I don't think it is very comfortable. You 
look so funny, Tanta, shivering down there. 

Tanta. Come down at once, child, or I'll call your 
Uncle. 

(Carola nudges Davenham, and gives a suppressed 
laugh. Tx\nta furjis at the sound with a little shriek 
of dismay.) 

Saints preserve us I Some one is coming ! Run, 
child, run — 

{In a panic of apprehension, she flies out through win- 
dow r. Carola and Davenham, who throughout 
have been in sight of the audience, though unseen by 
Katrina and Natcha, slip out of sight behind the 
curtains. Katrina leaps down from the throne 
— takes one hasty peep through the archway, and then 
runs down to window R.) 

Katrina {calling softly through window). Tanta 
Natcha ! Tanta Natcha ! It's no one ! Come back 1 

Carola {peering round the arch and whispering to 
Davenham). This is a real adventure at last ! /'// 
show her what a King is like. 



,16 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

Katrina. She doesn't hear me ! How silly I 
To be frightened at nothing ! 

{She turns to look at the throne again, and, curiosity 
overmastering prudence, she tiptoes back to it, 
nodding sagely to herself.) 

I would like to see a real King up there ! 

{Carola, with a warning gesture of silence to Daven- 
HAM, slips quietly into the room.) 

Carola (c, bowing to her). Good day to you, - 
Madam. 

Katrina (turns with a startled exclamation). Oh ! 
Carola. Are you the Queen ? 
Katrina [still on the top step). Eh — yes — ^no ! 
Have you come to play with me ? Who are you ? 

Carola (c). Well, I'm [Laughs.) I'm not 

quite sure who I am, but I'm supposed to be in charge 
of this throne-room. 

Katrina [she looks at his uniform). Oh ! I see, 
you're a httle soldier! A bugler? Or a drummer 
boy ? 

Carola [laughing). Well, I blow my own trumpet 
sometimes. But who are you ? I didn't know there 
was a Queen in Bolkania. 

Katrina. Oh, I'm not a Queen, really. I'm 
only the daughter of Pietro, the Woodcutter, from 
the Forest of Kranowa. (Coming down a step or two.) 
My real name is Katrina but Uncle Nikola — he's 
Assistant to the Under-Gardener here, you know — 
Uncle Nikola calls me " Quizzy." 

Carola.- " Ouizzy ? " What a funny name! 
Why? 

Katrina. Because I'm so inquisitive. I'm always 
asking questions. 

Carola. What sort of questions ? 
Katrina. Every sort. [With smiling assurance.) 
It's only by asking questions you can get to know 
things, isn't it ? 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 17 

Carola {striving to go one better). Not always. 
Sometimes 3^ou guess them. That's much more fun \ 

K ATRIN A {hluntly) . But suppose you guess wrong ? 

Carola {proudly — taking refuge in rank). I never 
should. Kings never guess wrong ! 

Katrina. Oh ! Do you play at being a King 
sometimes ? {Jumping down off steps and coming up 
to him c.) 

Carola {recollecting his incognito). Oh — er^-yes, 
sometimes ! 

Katrina. And sit up in this chair ? 

Carola {with dignity). It isn't a chair — it's a 
throne. 

Katrina {unimpressed). Oh ! I'll call it a 
throne when we're playing — but it's really just a 
chair all the same, isn't it ? 

Carola. No — y — yes — at least — I say ! you're 
asking me questions now, Quizzy I That's a jolly 
good name for you. May / call you Quizzy ? 

Katrina. Oh ! {Doubtfully.) I don't know ! 
It's only one's friends who may use pet names, isn't 
it? 

Carola. But can't I be a friend ? 

KATRiisfA. Could you ? It's very difficult. {Sii- 
ting L., on bottom step of throne.) 

Carola. Is it ? Why ? What do you mean by 
a friend ? (She hesitates.) There ! That's a ques- 
tion too hard for you to answer. {He stands in front 
of her challengingly .) 

Katrina {stoutly). No, it isn't. A friend is — ^is 
just some one who knows all about you and likes 
you just the same. 

Carola. Oh ! {Considering.) Well, I like you. 
I like you very much. {He bends over her, one foot 
on step above which she is sitting on.) 

Katrina {with warming candour). But you don't 
know anything about me, do you ? You've never 
seen me happy, and you've never seen me cross. 
You don't know how bad I can be, nor how good. 



!8 THE KINC4 WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

You've got to play with people a long time before 
yoii can know that. 

■ Carola {setting down his hat on throne step — up 
stdge). All right, let's commence — ^to play, I mean. 
{Stnding c.) 

Katrina (jumping up — excitedly). Do you really 
mean it ? Here ? 

' Carola. Rather ! No one will interrupt. (Loudly 
■ — iooking towards Davenham's hiding place.) The 
King won't want this room for hours yet. 

Katrina (clapping her hands). Then let's play 
at. Kings and Queens. I often play it with Vladimir 
at Kranowa. 

Carola (c). Who's Vladimir? 

Katrina (l.c). He's the swineherd's son — and a 
cripple. But he makes a very nice kind king. You 
should see how happy every one is, when he starts 
to rule. 

■ Carola (half laughing — half annoyed). A swine- 
herd's son ! And a cripple ! What can he do ? 
fuming away r.) , , 

^ Katrina. Oh, no ! I mustn't tell you that. We 
all have to make it up for ourselves. 

Carola (coming c. again). Oh ! All right ! How 
shall I start ? 

Katrina (advancing. Climb up on the throne 
there. (She points to it. He hesitates, looking at her 
CuHously.) Don't be afraid, it's only just a chair 
^—painted — and not a bit comfortable. 

Carola (with a laugJi, runs across to throne, and 
stands on top step). Where do you sit ? You're the 
Oueen, I suppose ? 

Katrina (/row c. — looking up at him). Oh, no! 
W^ can't have a Queen when there's only two of us 
playing. I've got to be all the others. 
' Carola (seating himself). What others ? 

Katrina. Your subjects : anybody you like to 
summon to the King's presence. The Chamberlain, 
or the Prime Minister, or the Court Dancer, or 



THE KING WPIO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. [19 

the Chief of the Pohce. I can play any of them you 
like. Wait a minute, you shall have a Queen. There's 
the Queen of Sheba. 

Carola. I say ! I'm not Solomon, you know. 

Katrina. Of course not, silly ! It's my doll. 
Here she is. 

(She runs across to window, and picks out of the basket 
she has set down on entering, a large rag doll, iMch 
she carries over for his inspection.) 

Carola (regarding the doll un favour ably). Oh,' I 
say ! 

Katrina (comprehending his protest). No, perhaps 
she's not much to look at, but she is as wise as most 
Queens. And she's very silent ! There — let her 
lean against you — ^so ! (She props the doll up beside 
the throne down stage, and steps back c, regarding it 
critically.) 

Carola. Oh. all right ! What do I do now? 

Katrina (surprised). Whatever you want to 
do ! You're playing the King. Kings are very wise. 
They must know what to do without their subjects 
teUing them. ^ -, 

Carola. Oh, must they ? I hadn't thought of 
that. Now what does a King most want ? I know 
— -he wants to be amused. 

Katrina (disappointed). What a funny sort of a 
king ! And who do you want to amuse y6u — ^the 
Prime Minister ? 

Carola (hastily). No! Prime Ministers talk too 
much. He'd make me tired. 

Katrina. The Chamberlain ? 

Carola. No, he fusses too much. I want to be 
amused! (Remembering.) The Dancing Girl ! That's 
the one I want. 

Katrina. The Court Dancer ? Certainly, your 
Majesty. (She makes a little run, down stage and back 
again — then a low curtsey.) I am here, your Majesty. 

Carola (incredulously). But I say— crtw you dance ? 



20 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

Katrina (curtseying again). As your Majesty 
commands. 

Carola (still doubting). No, but really I mean. . . 

Katrina (assuredly). Whatever your Majesty 
desires — the Czardas — that's what we dance on our 
feast days at Kranowa. 

Carola. Yes, let's see that. 

(She dances a short, wild, Slavonic dance, full of quick 
movement, and with rhythmic beat — something 
characteristically full-blooded and barbarian, finishing 
with startling suddenness.) 

Carola (at the finish). Bravo ! I say, that's 
jolly ! (Clapping his hands.) Do some more. 

Katrina, Certainly, your Majesty. ^ [The Bridal 
dance ? This is what our girls dance at the weddings. 
It starts with the courtship, see ! (She dances a little.) 
Then the chase through the Forest, see how wild! 
How wild ! The capture by the magic pool, all silver 
in the moonlight. The first kiss — the hope — the 
waiting — the Bridal day. 

Carola. Splendid ! I do like that. Now 
another !] ^ 

Katrina. The Court Dance ? This is how 
they do it in the Palace. Real kings and queens, I 
mean, not make-believes, like you and me. 

Carola (with provoking assurance). You cannot 
dance the Court Dance ! 

Katrina. I can ! 

Carola. I don't believe it ! 

Katrina (stamping her foot in anger). That's very 
rude ! I tell you I can ! Oh ! but that was rude 
too ! I'm sorry. Now you won't like me any more. 

Carola (generously). I'm your friend. (With a 
touch of unconscious hauteur.) You may kiss my 
hand. (Holding it out.) 

Katrina. Not now — I'm busy. (Humming a 

1 The passages bracketed can be omitted if desired. 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 21 

little.) See ! this is the Court Dance my grand- 
mother taught me. (She starts to dance an old- 
fashioned type of Gavotte or Minuette.) 

Caro'LA (as she nears the end) . That's it ! Up the 
centre. Yes, that's right. No, no ! See, this is the 
way it goes. 

(He comes down, and dances a more modern edition of 
the same dance — each meetiiig occasionally as part- 
ners, and each correcting each other. They finish 
up with a how to each other, and sit together on the 
steps of the throne. Katrina up stage on the second 
step, and Carol A down stage on the first step.) 

{Admiringly.) You're very clever ! And yet you'ra 
only a peasant girl. (Sitting hugging his knee and 
looking up at her.) Where did you learn all this ? 

Katrina. At Kranowa. Grandmother taught 
me, and old Ivan the schoolmaster, who was once 
at the Court. But he didn't like it. " There is 
no room for the truthful man in a Palace," he says 
" But in the forest of Kranowa, by the still lakes, 
and in the shadow of the mountains, there dwells 
truth, and there one may live unafraid." So there 
he has lived for years and years and years, and 
teaches any one of us who is willing to learn. 

Carola. Was it he taught you these dances ? 

Katrina. Some of them. The strange dances, 
that are not danced by our people. But first he 
taught me to wonder. " All wisdom comes from the 
fairies," he said, and it is only if you never kill the 
Avonder spirit, that you can get to know the fairies. 

Carola. The wonder spirit ? 

Katrina. Yes. We're all born with it. It is 
written on the face of every little baby. Don't you 
know it ? All the babies at home have it. They 
sit, and in their eyes is the big wonder — there they 
sit, and wonder, and wonder, and wonder, and never 
say a word. 

Carola {practically). It doesn't seem much good 



22 HE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

then ! Oh ! {Hastening to apologize). I'm sorry, 
you see, we have no babies here, nor fairies. At 
least, /'ve never seen them. 

Katrina. Oh ! / have. All the summer night 
the fairies are dancing in the forest, dancing with 
joy, at the wonder of the flowers, and the wonder of the 
moon, and the wonder of the birds — and sometimes, 
old Ivan says, at the wonder of the mortals who 
grow to understand them. So, you see, those who 
love the fairies must love dancing. For they are the 
silent folk, and it's only through their dancing that 
you can understand their message. 

Carola. You do know a lot ! I thought peasant 
folk were always so ignorant. 

Katrina. Ah ! City folk are more foohsh, Ivan 
says, because they only know the things that are 
written down in books. And so, they never hear 
the rain pattering down on the river, bringing won- 
derful secrets to her from the stars, or the wind 
whispering Jiis secrets in the trees, and sighing and 
raging because folk won't understand him. City 
folk only learn things from bankers, and ministers, 
and pohce officials, instead of going to the fairies 
for their wisdom. 

Carola (wistfully). I wish I was going to Kran- 
owa to learn of old Ivan and the fairies. 

Katrina (jumping up). Oh ! but we are for- 
getting our game. (Standing c.) Who does your 
Majesty wish to summon next ? 

Carola. Oh, I don't know, some one else to 
amuse me. (Still sitting on steps.) I say, isn't there 
a court conjurer ? (She shakes her head at him re- 
proachfully.) Well then, let's have clowns or harle- 
quins — or the Court Dancer again. 

Katrina (sighs despairingly). Oh ! I don't think 
you can play this game a little bit. Kings, real kings, 
don't always want to be amused. 

Carola (surprised). Don't they ? 

Katrina. No, they want to do things, useful 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 23 

things, to make their people happier. I don't believe 
you know anything about a real king. 

Carola (stung). Don't I ? [Risiiig and coming c.) 
Well, you've never seen one. 

Katrina {confidently). I know what they are 
like. They are very solemn and serious, and always 
trying to keep bad ministers in order. 

Carola. Oh ! Are they ? 

Katrina. Look ! I'll show you. (Taking his 
hands and swinging him round r.) Let's change 
places. Fll be king now — you shall be all the 
others. (Crossing to steps of throne.) 

Carola (not quite liking it). Little girls can't 
be kings ! 

Katrina. Well, queen then. It doesn't matter 
what you call me, so long as I sit in the best chair. 
(She seats herself on the throne.) And the Queen of 
Sheba — (taking up doll) — she shall be my favourite 
princess. 

Carola (c). And have / to amuse you ? 

Katrina. Oh, not yet. I have all the business 
of the country to see to first. 

(Clapping her hands imperiously. 

Katrina. Summon my Prime Minister ! 

Carola (startled — turning quickly round). Eh ? 
Where is he ? 

Katrina. That's you, silly ! 

Carola (very shocked). I say !— you mustn't call 
me " silly " ! 

KATRiisi A (quite unmoved). Yes, I may. You have 
to be any one I wish to summon. 

Carola (remembering his role) . Oh! I see. Well, 
here I am. 

Katrina. You may come up to the first step of 
the throne. 

Carola (advancing). Thanks very much. (About 
io sit down.) 



24 THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 

Katrina [stopping him). Oh ! Ministers don't 
sit in the presence of their sovereigns, do they ? 

Carol A [rising). No, I suppose not. It's rather 
silly, isn't it ? Don't you think this one might ? 

Katrina [with royal formality). Her Majesty is 
graciously pleased to permit it. 

Carola. That's all right. [He sits on first step- 
looking lip at her.) What happens now ? 

Katrina [conscious of her responsibility). What 
is the state of my kingdom ? 

Carola. Oh ! [Hesitates a moment.) Very nice. 
Don't you worry, the kingdom's all right. 

Katrina. Are there any wars ? 

Carola [dolefully). No I Not a sign of one. I 
wish there were. 

Katrina. Ah ! But you mustn't wish that. It 
is good that our people have peace. Have they 
plenty and prosperity ? 

Carola [soynewhat bored). Oh, I expect so. 
Ministers aren't supposed to know that, are they ? 

Katrina. Of course. That's a Minister's first 
business — to see that everybody is happy and 
comfortable. 

Carola. Is it ? No wonder he's so busy. 

Katrina. Why are woodcutters in the forest 
so poorly paid ? 

Carola. / don't know. 

Katrina. Then you ought to know. I must know 
before to-morrow morning, or I shall cut your head 
off. 

Carola [sitting bolt upright). I say ! [Very 
astonished.) You are an inquisitive monarch ! 

Katrina. Oh ! I've hardly started yet. I shall 
want to know heaps and heaps of things. Why 
there are so many poor people in the city ? Things 
must be very badly arranged. 

Carola [jumping up). I say ! I don't think this 
is much of a game. [Going c.) Kings, real kings, 
don't worry over those sort of things. 



THE KING WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 25 

Katrina. Oh ! I'm sure good kings do — else 
why are they kings ? 

Carola [dumbfounded at such a novel question). 
Eh? 

Katrina {with sudden inspiration). I see it now ! 
That's why they put the King's seat higher than all 
the others. 

Carola (puzzled — staring at her). Why ? 

Katrina (confidently). Because he had to be the 
best and wisest of all ! Able to see further than any 
one. And able to be heard b}^ everybody when he 
speaks. 

Carola. 'Pon my word ! I never thought of that. 

Katrina [excitedly). Of course ! I'm only just 
beginning to understand it — that's what the throne 
is made for ! The good king calls together all the 
wise people he can find, and he makes them nobles, 
and princes, and archbishops. And he brings them 
gradually up the steps, almost beside him.. Every 
one coming a step higher, each time they get gooder 
and wiser. 

Carola [curiously). Well, hew high should I 



come 



Katrina. You wouldn't come at all as a Minister. 
You aren't a bit wise, are you ? 

Carola [standing c). But this is only a game — 
I thought you only wanted me to amuse you. 

Katrina. Well, but you haven't even done that. 
What can you do ? 

Carola [thinks for a moment, then shakes his head).- 
I can't dance. 

Katrina. Can you sing ? 

Carola. No. 

Katrina. Or play the lute ? 

Carola. No. 

Katrina. Or tell me stories ? 

Carola. No. 

Katrina. Have you no tricks ? 

Carola [thoughtfully). No ! At least, only to 



2r. THE KING WHO HAD^^OTHInG SO LEXrN. 

bite my nails, and Mr. Davenham says that's a beastly 
trick. 

Katrixa. Mr. Davenham ? 

Carola (turning to-wards arch r.). Yes, he's my 
EngHsh tutor. [Calling.) Hi ! Mr. Davenham ! 

(Davenham comes forward, smiling, from behind 
the curtains.) 

Davenham. Yes, your Majesty ? 

Katrina (startled). Oh ! (Rising.) Were you 
there all the time? (Coming down the steps.) Are 
you playing this game too ? 

Davenham (r.). No, but I have been watching 
his Majesty King Carola at play, when he ought 
to have been at work. 

Katrina (coming down l.). King Carola ! But 
that's the King here — the real King ! 

Davenham (r.). This is his Majesty, young Miss. 

Katrina (l. — staring amazed at Carola, not the 
least abashed). You ! Really ! But you don't 
know how to do it one little bit. 

Carola (c— nodding dolefully). I know! 

Katrina (to Davenham). He can't do anything. 

Davenham. Not yet, Katrina, but he's started 
to learn. 

Katrina. Fancy ! (Looking at him rather sur- 
prised.) I'd always wanted to see a real king. 
(She makes a little movement as if to touch him and 
discover if he is quite real.) You're a bit of a dis- 
appointment. 

Carola (stoutly). I daresay ! But I won't be in 
a year or two, Katrina — and then I will come out to 
Kranowa and learn from the fairies and old Ivan, 
and I'll bring him back with me as my chief minister ! 
And you — you shall be a duchess, Katrina. 

Katrina. Really ! A real duchess ? 

Carola. Yes, with the right to stand on the top 
step of the throne. 

Davenham (with his hand on Carola's shoulder). 



THE KINOr WHO HAD NOTHING TO LEARN. 27 

Where you caa help to point out to the king the things 
that really matter. 

.Katrina (curtseying). Thank you very much, 
your Majesty. I'll think about it. 

{She turns l., to pick Up her rag doll, and slowly crosses 
R. away from the throne.) 

Carola [watching her). You'd Hke to be a duchess, 
wouldn't you, Quizzy ? 

Katrina {she runs shyly to the window, then turns 
back to him). I'm not sure. I think — yes, I cer- 
tainly think — I'd rather we played it as a game. 



Curtain. 



-^utlcr & Tanner Frome and London 



~> 



\ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



■■ 



014 704 813 



